A man identified as Taofeek, who was detained in connection with alleged cocoa theft, has reportedly died by suicide while in police custody in Agbeye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
Taofeek, a resident of the community, was reportedly arrested by local volunteers on Monday after he was allegedly found with stolen cocoa seeds.
Following his arrest, he was taken to the palace of the traditional ruler before being handed over to the police at the Agbeye Police Post for further investigation.
A resident of the community, who spoke anonymously, said the incident had generated tension among residents, noting that cocoa theft had become a recurring problem in the area.
The resident said Taofeek’s arrest came as a surprise to some community members because he was well known in the area.
He said the suspect was taken to the palace with the cocoa seeds before being transferred to the police post on Monday, adding that residents were informed early Tuesday that he had been found hanging inside the cell.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspect was handed over to the police by members of the community.
Ojelabi explained that the suspect was questioned after being taken to the police outpost and was subsequently detained.
He said an officer later went to check on the detainee and discovered that he had allegedly taken his own life inside the cell.
The police spokesman said the officer in charge of the outpost had been interrogated as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Ojelabi added that no arrest had been made in connection with the incident, while the deceased’s remains had yet to be claimed by his relatives.
He said the command had contacted the family and was discussing with them how to handle the deceased’s remains.
The PPRO also said the police were unaware of claims that the suspect had been humiliated or paraded around the community before being handed over to the police.
“We don’t know if he was paraded across town before he was brought to the station,” Ojelabi stated.